After their debut single “Limerence,” the band The Ingrid give us a reason to talk about them – and, pleasantly, that reason is the release of their new track “Mother.” And, to be honest, it’s exactly what you need for a thoughtful evening. If you thought that modern music is all about algorithms and loud hooks, Jess, Josh, and Will are ready to argue with you. Formed in the silence of lockdown, the band transforms anxiety and personal searching into fragile and tangible art-rock. Working with Greg Walsh has undoubtedly become an important milestone in the band’s creative path. But more about that – and much more – in our interview with The Ingrid.
We welcome you, friends! We are very glad to meet you. And so that our readers can learn a little more about you – tell us about yourselves. Who are you, where did you come from, and how did The Ingrid appear?
Josh – We are The Ingrid! The three of us met in University with Jess and Will studying psychology and myself on film production. I knew them from friends of friends, all of us wanted to do music so we all fell into place really.
Will -The Ingrid had a few name variations but we landed on The Ingrid as we like the name and found it resonated with us.
Jess – Exactly how Will put it, The Ingrid is a name and that feels representative of how we all want the same thing, we work in unison.
Jess, Will, Josh – the three of you came to music from very different points: vocals and keys, guitar after a personal reboot, cinema and storytelling. Does it ever happen that one of you “directs” the music, and another, on the contrary, turns emotion into a storyline?
Jess – I think it really varies you know? Sometimes I’ll bring in some lyrics and chords and the song will develop around that. Other times Will has a riff a song grows around and same goes for Josh.
Josh – I think It’s hard to say. Obviously a lot of story comes from the lyrics but some songs started with Will’s guitar, and the stories that were coming from them. I always try to add depth and new story angles with my drums, and the three together can direct the story in much more nuanced ways than just one of us directing the song.
Will – Honestly most of the time it’s an even mix of each of our perspectives that dictates how the song sounds.
Which one of you was the most “difficult teenager,” and is that reflected in your music?
All – Aren’t we all difficult at times?
Sometimes when I look at my old photos, I think: “God, what was I even like back then?” Not so much time has passed since the moment you began creating together. But surely something has changed. Is there a difference between “those guys” and today’s The Ingrid?
Jess – I think The Ingrid has been something that is constantly evolving. I think we started to take what we were doing quite seriously pretty quickly. Something that has remained the same however through any changes is the love and desire to make good music.
Will – We are still as close knit as we were when we first formed, each bandmate isn’t just a person who we create with we are all best friends which strengthens our musical bond as we can be honest and real with each other in every situation.
Josh – Yeah I think we flow a lot better now for sure.
Let’s talk about your work. “Limerence” and the very fresh “Mother” – two singles, two completely different stories. Is it evolution, a new turn, or another facet of the same emotion?
Josh – I think it’s more a development, a natural progression of emotions that our music takes you through. Jess – I would have to agree with Josh there. While all our songs are different I think there is a core theme that our songs focus on the processing of any event psychologically, not the event itself, at least for this body of work.
While working on the new release, you once again joined forces with Greg Walsh. How does he manage to capture your signature “quiet tension” and not turn it into a loud drama?
Will – Greg’s ability to nail our sound so well is due to his own incredible ability to understand and articulate that raw feeling in his mixes, which has been gained through his many years of experience in the industry.
Josh – Yea he’s a pro what can we say. He knows what the songs need and knows they need to be subtle. He’s committed to the same sound we are.
Jess – I think I’ll add here that he understands the importance that sometimes subtlety speaks louder than anything else.
“Mother” sounds very personal, I would even say confessional. There is tenderness and anxiety in the song. How did its story begin?
Jess – Mother was an idea that came from Will playing some guitar and me singing. Honestly it really fell into place. To be honest I would come back to you and say isn’t every song confessional? You’re putting your inner most thoughts on to paper and what could be more confessional than that.
Considering that your band includes someone with experience in cinema, and that the visual component in music is very important now: are you working on a video for “Mother”?
Josh -I am definitely developing a video for mother, I’m really excited about it.
Many bands focus only on their music, while you state right away – we are a catalyst for change, we are building a community, we want to change the rules of the game. Was this a conscious decision from the very beginning, or did it come over time, when you faced the realities of the industry?
Josh – At first I think we just wanted to play music together, but when the band started forming as an idea, the collective came from it naturally. Everyone’s in it for everyone else it’s a good feeling.
Jess – Yeah I think the collective centred around the idea that it is a space for artists made by artists, ensuring everyone’s unique talents are recognised.
After the release of “Mother” it becomes clear that The Ingrid are at a point of creative growth and exploration. You are more confidently shaping your own language and are not afraid of open dialogue with the listener. Against this background, it is especially interesting to know in what direction you plan to move next?
Will – We’re evolving with every release and we’re working more closely than ever.
Jess – Exactly how Will said, we are working closer than we ever have and in turn our music is evolving and becoming more and more us.
Josh – Yeah, we’re always evolving but we’ll always be us and have that special sound.
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